So long Alex!

Nov 13 2018 | By More

Alex McGowan to step down as Lyceum Chief Exec

Alex McGowan, the Lyceum’s executive director and joint chief executive, is to leave the role in Spring 2019 to take up a similar position with the Glasgow Citizens.

He has held the position at the Lyceum for eight years, joining the theatre during Mark Thomson’s tenure as artistic director and working with David Greig when he joined as AD in 2016.

Alex McGowan who is to leave the Lyceum after eight years as executive director.

The model of having a joint chief executive allows the executive director to focus on the financial side of the theatre while the artistic director focusses on the artistic side.

During his time at the Lyceum, McGowan has had to cope with “significant funding challenges” as Shonaig Macpherson, chair of the Lyceum board described them.

This included the damaging 17.5% cut in 2014 – coming after seven years of stand still funding – announced six months before its the start of its 50th anniversary year celebrations.



In the latest funding round, the theatre had to cope with not knowing its funding levels until January this year, so needed to have a contingency plans ready for the unlikely event that it received a 100% cut in grant.

David Greig has thanked McGowan saying: “I have very much enjoyed working with Alex, he warmly welcomed me to The Lyceum in 2016 and has been an invaluable support as I have found my feet as Artistic Director.

“I wish him every success at the Citz and look forward to a continued creative collaboration with him in his new role at our sister theatre in Glasgow.”

fantastic team

Alex McGowan added: “I have really enjoyed my time at The Lyceum, they are a fantastic team and I’m hugely proud of everything we’ve achieved together over the last eight years, especially in welcoming David Greig as Artistic Director and helping him to shape a new vision for the company.”

He also hinted at the reason for his move to what will be a most challenging role as the Citizens makes its plans to move back into its Gorbals building, which is currently being extensively refurbished.

He said: “I am now looking forward to playing a part in supporting the transformation of another great Scottish theatre, joining The Citizens’ team at the dawn of a new era for this iconic company with the opening of a transformed building in 2020.”

The Lyceum has announced that is has already begun the process of recruiting McGowan’s successor when he moves in Spring 2019.

ENDS

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